Celtic 'amazed' as Scott Brown appeal fails

CELTIC'S strained relationship with the Scottish Football Association took another turn for the worse last night as the dismayed Parkhead club described the decision to reject an appeal against the red card shown to Scott Brown in Sunday's Old Firm defeat as "amazing".

• Celtic believe Scott Brown's dismissal in the Old Firm derby should have been referred to a separate SFA review panel. Picture: SNS

The SFA, which also threw out an appeal by Hearts against the dismissal of Laryea Kingston at Pittodrie, announced that Celtic's bid to overturn their captain's suspension had been unsuccessful as Dougie McDonald, the referee at Ibrox, stood by his judgment after reviewing the incident in which Brown was sent off for a clash with Rangers' Kyle Lafferty.

Brown, who was Scotland's goalscorer in their 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Wednesday, will now miss a total of three matches through suspension, including Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League trip to Falkirk. The 24-year-old will also sit out SPL games against St Johnstone at Celtic Park and St Mirren in Paisley later this month.

The news prompted an exasperated response from Celtic, who issued a statement on their club website saying: "We are amazed at this decision and believe it is the wrong one.

"Given the general consensus that the initial decision was incorrect and the availability of supporting video evidence, at the very least, the incident should have been referred to a separate review panel.

"Naturally, we are very disappointed that this simple opportunity was not taken.

"Clearly, it is also very disappointing that Scottish Football Association rules do not permit this decision to be appealed."

After an unnamed club source had revealed their frustration and concern over damaging decisions by referees in the build-up to Sunday's game, Celtic had claimed no "fair-minded" person would agree Brown deserved to be sent off.

A Scottish Football Association statement yesterday read: "In accordance with the provisions for claims of wrongful dismissal, the referee, Dougie McDonald, was requested to review the circumstances of Scott Brown's sending off against Rangers.

"The referee has indicated that he is content with his decision."

The SFA last week confirmed it had entered into discussions with Celtic officials over refereeing standards, but the club's latest statement has only served to fuel an already-simmering row.

Robbie Keane also waded into the spat yesterday, venting his frustration at McDonald for failing to send off Madjid Bougherra during Celtic's 1-0 defeat.

Keane's first taste of the fixture saw him repeatedly fouled by Rangers defender Bougherra, and although the Algerian received an early booking for a tackle from behind on the Celtic striker, he stayed on the field despite several further challenges on the on-loan Tottenham forward.

Keane said: "There were worse tackles than Scott Brown's on Sunday. I won't say any names, but there was one other player who should definitely have been sent off for them. What can you do? The referee has obviously seen something different from what we did. I'd rather not talk about refs, I'll just get into trouble."

Asked if he was disappointed with McDonald's display, Keane said: "What do you think? But I'd rather not talk about referees."